Fluid-level-controlling means.



No. 811,188. PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906.

J. B. WARING. FLUID LEVEL CONTROLLING MEANS.

APPLICATION II-LBD MAR. 11, 1904.

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No. 811,188. PATBNTED JAN. 30, 1906. J. B, WARING. FLUID LEVELCONTROLLING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.11, 1904.

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UNITED STAWENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. WARING, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WARING PATENTSCOMPANY, on NEW YORK.

YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW FLUID-LEVEL-CONTROLLING MEANS.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed March 11, 1904. Serial No. 197,734.

To all whom it "may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B; WARING, a citizen of the United States,residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFluid-Level-Oontrolling Means, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to fluid-level-controlling means such as areemployed in watercloset flush-tanks and in steam-traps, and has for itsobjects generally simplicity and compactness of construction and easeand reliability of operation.

My invention includes the employment of a float member and means forguiding the same so as to restrain rotative movement thereof and of arotatable valve member, these members having a helical engagement, sothat the rise and fall of the float member will cause rotative movementof the valve member.

My invention also includes the employment of a hollow inverted floatmember and of a valve member arranged to telescope or enter within thehollow float member and controlled by the rise and fall of the valvemember.

My invention also includes various improvements in the construction ofthe parts and in combinations thereof.

I will now describe the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand embodying my invention and will thereafter point out my invention inclaims.

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a flush-tank andfluid-level-controlling means therein embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the controlling means, partly broken away. Fig. 3 is avertical central section of a steam-trap and fluid-level-controllingmeans therein embodying my invention.

In the flush-tank embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 anordinary water-closet reservoir or flush-tank a is pro vided with aninlet or supply-tube 1, which is exteriorly clamped by a nut 2, bearingagainst a washer to afford a large bearing surface on the under side ofthe tank and provided on its upper end or the end within the tank withan annular surface 3, bearing on the bottom of the tank, and withradiallyprojecting arms 4 and 5, these arms being also connected by abridge-piece 6, having thereon a threaded socket 7, which is locateddirectly above the inlet-tube and in which a part of the movable valvemember operates. The radial arms 4 and 5 are provided with guide-rods 8,which extend upward and guide the rise and fall of the float member.valve member comprises a valve-face 9, of a flexible or elasticmaterial, which is forced into a recess in the valve-disk 10. The diskis provided with a stem 11, which is carried by and is free to rotate inthe threaded lower end 12 of the valve member, this threaded lower endengaging the threaded socket 7 of the bridge-piece 6. The valve memberalso has a tubular part 14 above its threaded lower end, and thistubular part is provided with two diametrically opposite helical slots15 of large pitch. The float member comprises a hollow cylindricalinverted cup 16, which is provided with a central penetrating-tube 17,open at the top to the atmosphere and tightly secured to the upper faceof the inverted cup 16 and secured at its lower end to an annular sleeve18. From the lower part of this sleeve 18 radial arms 19 extend to thesides of the cup, and guide-holes 20 and 21 are formed in these radialarms, and the guide-rods 8 penetrate these holes and prevent rotation ofthe float member,while permitting it to rise and fall with the fluid inwhich it floats. The annular sleeve 18 also carries a pin 22, extendingcompletely across the tube 17 and entering the slots 15 of the tubularpart of the valve member. The arms 19 and sleeve 18 constitute across-piece at the lower end of the float member, and the location ofthis cross-piece and the concentric arrangement of the float and valvemembers and diametrically opposite arrangement of the helical slotsassure a symmetrical transmission 0 power and an easy movement of theparts.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the tank has been filled toits predetermined capacity and the float is raised and the inletvalveclosed. The height of the fluid-level b is such that all engaging partsare immersed in water and lubricated and protected thereby. Upon theopening of the outlet-valve of the tank, which is not shown in thedrawings, but which may be of any well-known or suitable construction,the Water-level in the tank The I will fall, thereby lowering the floatmember 16 on the guide-rods 8 and lowering the pin 22 in the helicalslots 15 of the tubular part 14 of the valve member, and thereby causingthis member to rotate and its lower threaded end 12 to screw upward inits threaded socket 17, thereby permitting the inlet-valve 9 to belifted from its seat by the pressure at the inlet. This inlet-valve willremain open until the inflowing water has again filled the tank to thenormal level, when the rise of the float will have caused the valvemember to be screwed down sufficiently to close the inletvalve.

It will be noted that the valve member re ceives an upward as 'wellas'rotative movement when the float falls and a downward as well asrotative movement when the float rises by reason of arrangement of thehelices of the threaded part 12 and of the helical slots in the samedirection; but the latter is of so much greater pitch than the formerthat the movement of the valve member in the opposite direction to thatof the float member only augments the rotative effect of the rise andfall of the float member.

In the embodiment of my invention in a steam-trap (shown in Fig. 3) thecasing comprises a closed reservoir or tank a, the case or lower head aof which has an outlet-chamber 6 formed therein. The inlet-pipe (Zenters the tank near its upper end, and the out let-pipe f extends outfrom the outlet-chamber. The upper surface of the base or lower head 0of the tank is inclined downward toward the center and is provided withathreaded boring receiving a threaded plug 1, which is provided with ashoulder 3 and has a bridge-piece 6 thereon, the threaded plug 1 havingthe seat for the controlling-valve on its lower face and thebridge-piece. 6 having a threaded socket 7 receiving the threaded stem12 of the valve member. The valveplug 9 is of conical form and ofyielding or elastic material and is carried by a bolt 11, which isscrewed up into the valve-stem 12 and carries a jam-nut 30, pinnedthereto, and the lower head of the bolt 11 has a diamet ric slot for ascrew-driver, so that the valveplug and bolt may be inserted or removedthrough the opening shown as provided in the lower wall of theoutlet-chamber and closed by a screw-cap 29. Above the threaded part 12of the valve-stem is a cylindrical part 14, having diametricallyopposite helical grooves or slots 15, and the float member zarries a nut18, which has tongues 22 en- ;ering these helical slots. The nut 18 iscar- .ied on a spider and ring 19, which is secured ;o the lower end ofthe inverted cup 16, and L fork 20, projecting outwardly from the 'ing,engages a vertical guide tongue 8, ormed on the inner wall of the tanka, so as o prevent rotation of the float member, Ihile permitting thefloat member to rise and fall with the liquid in the tank. A petcock 31is provided at the top of the tank and a blow-off valve at the bottom ofthe tank. The blow-off valve is located at the lower part of a pocket inthe base 0. Its opening leads into the outlet-chamber e, and its stem iscarried in a bonnet 26, screwed into the outer side wall of the base 0.In this steamtrap construction the closing of the valve is effected bydownward movement of the float; but as the valve closes by upwardmovement the respective directions of movement are the same as in theflush-tank construction.

It is obvious that various other modifications may be made in theconstructions shown and above particularly described within the spiritand scope of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Means for controlling the fluid-level of a reservoir comprising afloat, a valve member, a stationary member having a helical engagementwith the valve member and supporting the member to' travel axially in asubstantially vertical direction, when rotated, and a valve controlledby the valve member, the float having a direct connection with the valvemember whereby the rise and fall of the float will operate the valvemember in its support and control the valve.

2. Means for controlling the fluidlevel in a reservoir comprising afloat member, guiding means for restraining the rotation thereof, arotatable valve member, the float member and valve member having ahelical engagement, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

3. Means for controlling the fluid-level of a reservoir comprising ahollow inverted float member, guiding means for restraining the rotationthereof, a rotatable valve member arranged to enter within the hollowfloat member, the float member and valve member having a helicalengagement, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

4. Means for controlling the fluidlevel of a reservoir comprising afloat member, guiding means for restraining the rotation thereof, arotatable valve member, the float member and valve member having ahelical engagement, a threaded part on the valve member and a threadedstationary socket therefor, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

5. Means for controlling the fluid-level of a reservoir comprising ahollow inverted float member, guiding means for restraining the rotationthereof, a rotatable valve member arranged to enter within the hollowfloat member, the float member and valve member having a helicalengagement, a threaded part on the valve member and a threadedstationary socket therefor, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

6. Means for controlling the fluid-level of a reservoir comprising afloat member, guiding means for restraining the rotation thereof, a

rotatable valve member, the float member and valve member having ahelical engagement, whereby the rise and fall of the float member isconverted into rotary movement of the valve member, a stationary socketfor the valve member, the valve member and socket having a helicalengagement of a pitch considerably less than that of the helicalengagement of the float member and valve member, whereby the rotarymovement of the valve member is converted into a rise and fall of thevalve member of considerable less extent than the rise and fall of thefloat member, and

a valve controlled by the valve member.

7. Means for controlling the fluid-level of a reservoir comprising ahollow inverted float member, guiding means for restraining the rotationthereof, a rotatable valve member arranged to enter within the hollowfloat member and having helical engaging parts, the float member havingmeans coacting with the helical engaging parts of the valve member toconvert the rise and fall of the float member into rotary movement ofthe valve member, a stationary socket for the valve member, the valvemember and socket l1aving helical engaging parts of a pitch in the samedirection as and considerably less than that of the helical partsengaged by the float member, whereby the rotary movement of the valvemember is converted into a rise and fall of the valve member withaugmentation of the rotative effect due to the rise and fall of thefloat member, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

8. The combination, with a fluid-reservoir, of a hollow inverted floathaving a cross-piece at its lower end, guiding means for restraining therotation .of the float, a rotatable valve member arranged to enterwithin the hollow float, the cross-piece of the float and the rotatablevalve member having a helical engagement, and a valve controlled by thevalve member.

9. The combination with a fluid-reservoir, of a hollow inverted floathaving a cross-piece at its lower end, guiding means for restraining therotation of the float, a rotatable valve member having helical slots,the cross-piece of the float having projecting meansengaging suchhelical slots, and a valve controlled by the valve member.

10. The combination with a fluid-reservoir, of a hollow inverted floathaving a cross-piece at its lower end, guiding means for restraining therotation of the float, a rotatable valve member having helical slots,the cross-piece of the float having projecting means engaging suchhelical slots, a threaded part on the valve member and a threadedstationary socket therefor, and a valve controlled by the valve member,substantially as set forth.

1 1. The combination with a fluid-reservoir, of a hollow inverted floathaving a cross-piece at its lower end, guiding means for restraining therotation of the float, a rotatable valve member having helical slots,the cross-piece of the float having projecting means engaging suchhelical slots, whereby the rise and fall of the float is converted intorotary movement of the valve member, a stationary socket for the valvemember, the valve member and socket having helical engaging parts of apitch in the same direction as but considerably less than that of thehelical slots, whereby the rotary movement of the valve member isconverted into a rise and fall of the valve member with augmentation ofthe rotative effect due to the rise and fall of the float, and a valvecontrolled by the valve member.

12. The combination with a fluid-reservoir, of a float consisting of ahollow inverted cup with a centrally piercing tube and a crosspiececonnecting the cup and tube at their lower ends, guiding means forrestraining the rotation of the float, a rotatable valve member arrangedto telescope within the tube of the float and having helical slots, thecrosspieoe of the float having projecting means engaging such helicalslots, a stationary threaded socket for the valve member and a threadedpart on the valve member engaging such threaded socket, and a valvecontrolled by the valve member, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN B. WARING. lVitnesses:

HENRY D. WILLIAMS, HERBERT H. GIBBs.

